NFL draft countdown: Scouting the quarterbacks

Oklahoma State's Mason Rudolph is considered an intriguing quarterback prospect in this year's draft.

Photo: Icon Sportswire/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

The Texans go into the NFL draft (Thursday to Saturday at AT&T Stadium in Arlington) without a first- or second-round pick, and they have holes to fill on both sides of the ball. A look at each position with an eye on what might be available for the Texans as well as prospects you'll see go off the board early.

TEXANS' NEED

The Texans need a later-round quarterback with athletic qualities to give them a developmental young QB who complements Deshaun Watson's style of play. That way the Texans wouldn't have to significantly alter the offense if Watson gets hrt again.

THIRD-ROUND OPTIONS

Mason Rudolph, Oklahoma State, 6-4, 235, 4.90

Classic pocket passer who sometimes struggles throwing into tight windows. Has upside, but accuracy and field vision need work.

Luke Falk, Washington State, 6-3, 211. 4.79.

Accurate and confident with above-average arm strength. Mobile, but frame is small and needs to gain weight.

Kyle Lauletta, Richmond, 6-2, 217, 4.77

Lot of buzz surrounding him at the Senior Bowl. Has a gritty style and some arm talent.

OVERALL

This quarterback class could have as many as five go in the first round. They all have their strengths and weaknesses, but Sam Darnold appears to be the consensus top passer available. Josh Rosen doesn't seem to love football enough, but is a skilled quarterback. Baker Mayfield lacks size, but is a winner. Josh Allen has prototype size and arm strength, but isn't accurate. Lamar Jacksson is the best athlete, but there are some mechanical issues with him.

THE BEST

Sam Darnold, USC, 6-3, 221, 4.85

Darnold is regarded as the safest quarterback prospect available. His Pro Day throwing in the rain was regarded as a clinic. Darnold's personality and accuracy are all big pluses.

Josh Allen, Wyoming, 6-5, 237, 4.75

So much untapped potential here. Has a huge arm and great size and mobility. Accuracy needs work.

Josh Rosen, UCLA, 6-4, 210, 4.85

Has serious arm strength and accuracy traits. Teams worry about intangibles and durability. Is Rosen a good leader and teammate? Intelligence is there, but teams wonder, does he love the game?

Baker Mayfield, Oklahoma, 6-0, 216, 4.84

Mayfield has great intangibles, playmaking skills and diagnoses defenses on the fly adeptly and has great touch. Gunslinger in terms of style and has the swagger to command a huddle. Undersized with just a decent arm. Had a few off-field issues, but comparisons to Johnny Manziel are off-base and unfair.

Lamar Jackson, Louisville, 6-2, 216, 4.53

Jackson is the most athletic quarterback available. His mechanics and accuracy need polish, but Jackson has a big arm and seems very coachable. There have been some questions about Jackson not having an agent and having his mother handle team requests for visits and workouts. Jackson didn't do testing at the combine or his Pro Day and didn't score well on the Wonderlic exam.

Aaron Wilson is a Texans beat writer for the Houston Chronicle, joining the paper in August 2015. He was a Baltimore Ravens beat writer from 2001 to 2015, working for The Baltimore Sun, including coverage of Super Bowl XLVII, the Ray Rice domestic violence case and the careers of Ray Lewis, Ed Reed and Jonathan Ogden, and previously covered the team for the Carroll County Times and the Annapolis Capital.

This marks the second time the Washington, D.C. native has covered the AFC South, previously covering the Tennessee Titans and the Jacksonville Jaguars.